Governing mechanism for turbines.



No. 858,540. PATENTED JULY 2, 1907. R. H. RICE.

GOVERNING MECHANISM FOR TURBINES. APPLICATION FILED NOV.2, 1906.

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Inventor, Richard H. F2ice,

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N0.'s5s,540. YPATENTED JULY 2, 1907.

R. H. RICE.

GOVERNING'MEGHANISM FOR TURBINE S. APPLICATION FILED NOV.2,1906.

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511858.540. PATE'NTBD JULY 2,1907.

V 11,-11. RICE. GOVERNING MEGHANISM FOR TURBINES.

APPLIOATION FILED 1mm. 190a.

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Ihventor; Richard H. Rice,

No. 858,540. PATENTED JULY 2, 1907;

' R. H. RIGE. GOVERNING MECHANISM FOR TURBINBS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.2.1906.

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Richar'ciHRice,

No. 858,540 v I PATENTED JULY 2, 1907.

' R. H. mos.

I GOVERNING MECHANISM FOR TUR'BINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-5.1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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Withesses: Inventor, Richard H. lQice,

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UNITED STATES [PATENT ()FFICE.

RICHARD H. RICE, F SWAMPSOOTT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERALLEoTEIo COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. I

. GOVERNING MECHANISM FOR TURBINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1907. v

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD H. Bron, a citizen of the United States,residing at Swampscott, county of Essex, State. of Massachusetts, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Governing Mechanism forTurbines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improvedgoverning mechanism for turbines which i Fig. 2; Fig. 5. is an aitialsectiontaken on line- 55 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic viewshowing the relation between the speed governor and valve mechanism, andFig. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention as'applied to aturbine having a pluralityof regulating valves.

1 represents the casing for the valve actuating mechanism which isbolted or otherwise secured to the turbine casing 2 as shown in Fig. 6.The turbine maybe of any approved type, the one shown being an impactturbine, butthe invention is not limited .thereto.

' Mounted on the main shaftof the tinbine is aspeed responsive device 3,Fig. 6, for causing the opening and closing of the valve or valves aswill appear hereinafter. The shaft for actually performing the work ofopening and closing the valves is driven by the belt 4 or equivalentmeans from the turbine or separate source ofzpower. 5 T

Referringnow to Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive, represents thevertically-disposed shaft driven by thebelt- 4, previously referred to,and carrying a worm 6 at its lowerend arranged to mesh .with'theteeth-of the worm wheel 7. This worm wheel is mounted on the secondaryhorizontal Shaft 8, the latterbeing supported by suitable bearings 12carried by the casing 1. Mounted on the secondary shaft is a gear wheel9 meshing with the gear .10 carried by the cam shaft 11. -33 meansofthis atrangement the camshaft is constantly rotated while the turbine isin operation,.bu t at a-reduced, speed, owing to-the interposed gearing.The cam shaft is mounted in suitable bearings "12 oarried by the casingand is free to move axially in response-tomovements of the shaftgovernor. Surrounding the shaft and keyed to it is a cam 13, of suitableshape to ope n and close the regulating valve or valves or otherregulating device or devices. .This cam may bemade an integral part: ofthe shaft or itmay be'madeseparate as shown, if

readily removed and a new one substituted in case of' wear or damage.The gear 10 is also keyed tothe cam shaft and is provided lwith anelongated hub which engages one side of the cam and acts as an abutmenttherefor. The gearis held against longitudinal movement on the shaft bya spanner or other nut 14. At the opposite end of the cam shaft is agrooved 'collar 15 which is seated against a shoulder on the shaft andis prevented from rotating independently thereof by a key. Between thecollar and the cam is a spacing ring 16. It will thus be seen that theparts are so arranged that when the nut 14 is screwed up all of theparts on the shaft will be firmly seated. The cam shaft extending rockshaft 19, Fig. 2, and lever '20. The lever'20 carries a roller 21 at itsouter end which is located in thegroovein the collar 15. As the speedgovernor rocks the shaft 19 to-and-fro, its motion is communicated bythe lever 20 to the collar which in turn moves the cam 13 in onedirection or the other from the central position shown. With aconstruction of this kind it "is desirable under certain conditions toprovide a means for insuringa certainfdefinite or step-by-step movementin an axialdi-r ection of the valve operating cam, since otherwise theedges of the cam, or those of the members co-operating with the cam, maybe injured. As one embodiment-of this feature of the invenv tion, alever 22, Fig. 2, is provided, which for convenience is made a part ofthe lever 20 and thus forms a bell crank. On the outer end ofthe lever22' is a notch 23,

r and interlocking with the notch is a spring pressed projection 24. Thenotch is preferably formed in a removable piece and said piece may bemade adjustable if desired and also the piece carrying the projection.

In order for the inclined walls of the notch 23 to move past theprojection 24 in either direction it is necessary for the governor toovercome the tension on the spring 25, the latter acting through thelever 26 on the projection 24. An adjusting screw 27 is provided toadjust the position of the projection 24. By means of this constructionall danger of the edges of the cam, or members .co-operating -therewithbeing injured' is prevented.

With a construction of this kind it is necessary on the one hand. forthe speed of the turbine to build'up slightly in order for the governorto overcome the resistance offered by the parts 23, 24, 25 and 26. Ontheother hand when the speed falls, due to an increase of overcome theopposition interposed by the parts 23 and 24. The resistance interposedby the step-by-step retarding device is not sufficient, however,toprevent the governing mechanism from holding the speed of the turbineconstant within the prescribed limits of good regulation. The regulatingvalve is provided with a stem 28 on the end of which is a cross head 29,and between the crosshead and the end of the valve stem is a coiledcompression spring 30, Fig. 4, toprevent injury to the parts in casethey are not accurately assembled, and to reduce the shock on the valvedue to the opening and closing at the time the cam comes into service.

Mounted on the cross-head and slightly offset, Fig. 2, are two members31 and 32 comprising rollers, the former'being located on the lefthandside of the cam shaft and the latter on the right. As shown, therollers 31 and 32 are both in engagement with the cam 13;

V thismeansthatfor every revolution of the cam shaft,

the valve is opened and closed. When the cam 13 is shifted so that itengages only with the roller 32, the

valve will be closedand remain so until the cam shaft k 25.

is moved either to the position shown or to a point where the cam clearsthe roller 32 and engages only the roller 31. In the latter case thevalve will stay open until there is a change in speed. It is to be notedthat all of the parts are submerged to a greater or less extent in oilso,that the wear thereon is reduced to a minimum. r

With. the mechanism just described the admissionof motive fluid to-theturbine may be continuous or substantially so or the valve 33 may beopening and closing every few seconds or it may open and close for everyrotation of the cam shaft. This action is dependent upon the load on theturbine relative to the amount of steam admitted when the valve is openand also upon the character of the load; that is whether it is steady orfluctuating.

In the present embodiment of the invention the motive fluidpasses'through a nozzle 34, Fig. 6, before striking a row of buckets 35on the wheel 36 but it may pass through any other form offluid-discharging vention is not to be construed as being limitedthereto unless so stated specifically in the claims.

The invention is shown in connection with an admission valve, but it isalso applicable for use in connection' with valves between stages in amulti-stage turbine of any type where it is desired to regulate thepassage of fluid at a point beyond the admission. 3

The particular construction of the cross-head, rollers, etc., can bevaried without departing from my invention. The cross-head is shown asextending under the cam shaft, although it, may extend over it ifdesired. Instead of using rollers other. means may be employed toco-operate with the cam to actuate the valve, the. principal featurebeing to provide a means located on one side of the axis of the shaft 11co-operatin'g with a cam to close the valve, and a second means locatedonthe oppositeside of the axis and co-operating with the cam to open thevalve. In thepresent embodiment of the invention, the cam directlyoperates the valve; but if desired, the valve may be op'crated by asuitable motor and the mechanism described be employed to control themotor.

In Fig. 7 is shown an embodiment of the invention wherein a plurality ofcams 13 are provided and mounted on the longitudinally movable cam shaft11. Each cam cooperates with a separate cross-head 37 to open or close avalve, as the case may be. The cams 13 are so set with relation to therollers that they come into play successively, and therefore open orclose the valves one after the other. The retarding device in thisfigure differs from the one previously described in that the number ofnotches 23 is increased so that the cams 13 will be definitely broughtinto-place one after the other. The lever 26 is provided with only oneadjustable projection 24 which enters the notches 23 one after the otherand causes the cam shaft 11. to be moved axially step-by-step from anygiven position. With a construction of this character under normal loadcon ditions, certain of the valves will be open, certain oi them closed,and at least one valve opening and closing more or less frequently tohandle that fraction of the load which is greater than that satisfied bya certain number of open valvesi and less than'one more than saidnumber. For example, three valves might not supply the necessary amountof fiuid and four would supply too much, hence the fourth valve would beopening and closing at more or less frequent intervals. The

mechanism is also capable of properly governing the turbine where theload conditions can be satisfied with one valve, as previouslydescribed.

The position of the lower cam in Fig. 7 is such that the valve orregulator actuated thereby is in the open position, the next cam aboveis opening and closing its regulator each rotation of the cam shaft, andthe two regulators above are closed because the cams are out ofengagement with the rollers on the left hand side of the cam shaft. Itis to be noted that the longitudinal movement of the cam shaft is in onedirection for successively opening the valves and in the oppositedirection for successively closing them. This means, starting from agiven position, that a given cam can rotate without engaging eitherroller; moving the shaft longitudinally from thisposition will cause acam to engage a roller and close a valve; continued longitudinalmovement in the same direction will cause the cam to disengage theclosing roller and engage the opening roller, and further longitudinalmovement in the same direction will cause it to be disengaged from saidopening roller. In other words, shifting a cam to one side of a givenposition will cause it to move the regulator in one direction; shiftingit further in the same direction will move the regulator in the oppositedirection, and still further movement in the same direction will causethe cam to be disengaged from the regulator. I may, and preferably do,so. position the parts that a cam is opposite the blosing roller of thefirst regulator in order that the admission of motive fluid may beentirely cut off from the turbine for a greater or less intervaldepending onthe load. As the load increases the action of the parts willbe as previously described.

In accordance 'with the provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the principle of operation of my invention, together with theapparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof;but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is onlyillustrative, and that the invention can be car-v ried out by othermeans. a

What? I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is,

1. In a governing mechanism, the combination of a pinrality ofregulators, a'rotating actuator for successively further in the samedirection to move the regulator in the opposite direction. 7

3. In a governing mechanism, the combination of a regulator, aconstantly rotating cam for actuating said regulator, means fortransmitting motion from the cam to the regulator, a means for shiftingthe cam to one side of a given position to move the regulator in onedirection and for shifting it further in the .same direction to move theregulator in the opposite direction, .and a speed-responsive device forcontrolling said shifting means.

4. The combination of a regulator, a constantly rotating cam forctuating the regulator, means for transmitting motion from the camto theregulator, and a means for shifting the cam to one side of a givenposition to move the regulator in one direction and for shifting itfurther in the same direction to'move. the regulator in the oppositedirection and for shifting it still furtherin said direction to releasethe regulator from the cam.

5. In a governing mechanism, the combination of avalve, a constantlyrotating cam for actuating the valve;

set portions, a rotating cam located between said portions, and aspeed-responsive means for shifting said cam to engage either or neitherof said portions to open or close said valve or to permit it to remainopen or closed.

7. In a governing mechanism, the combination of a plurality of valves,connections spaced apart for moving said valves, a rotating shaft, aplurality of cams on the shaft so spaced apart that they can engage theconnections to open or close but one valve at a;time, means iiorshifting the cams.longitudinally t'o actuate the valves; in successiveorder in either direction, and a speed-responsive de vice to control,the shifting means.

8. In a governing mechanism fora turbine, the combination of a valvearranged to regulate the passage or fluid,

a cam'mounted in suitable bearings for opening and closing the valve, 9.member attached to the valve and located on one'side of andc'o-operating with' the cam for opening the valve. a second member alsoattached to the valve, and located on' the opposite side of andco-opera'ting with the cam for closing the valve, and a means forcausing the cam to operatively engage the said members.

9. In a governing mechanism for turbines, the combiuatlon of a valve toregulate the passage of fluid, a member attached thereto which is activein openingv the valve, :1 second member also attached to the valve whichis active in closingthe valve, a means located between the the cams in astep-by-step manner.

members for actuating them, 'anda governor for shifting the meansaxially into proper co-operative relation with said members as the loadconditions change.

10. In a governing mechanism for turbines, the combination of a valvefor regulating the passage of fluid, a

constantly running means which opens or closes the valve as the loadconditions demand, a governor, and a means which retards the actionofthe governoron said means to insure proper co-operation of the parts.

11. In a governing mechanism for a turbine, the combination of a valvearranged to regulate the passage of fluid,

a cross-head attached to the valve and provided with a member which isactive in opening the valve and asecond member which is active inclosing the valve, 'a means located between the said members foractuating them, and a device for shifting said means into properco-operative relation with said members as the load conditions change.

12. In a governing mechanism for turbines, the combi nation of a valveto regulate the passage of fluid, a member attached to the valve foropening it, a second member also attached to the valve for closing it,an actuating means situated between the members and so arranged thatwhen in a mid-position it will open the valve on one part of itsmovement and will close the valve on another part ,of its stroke, and agovernor which shifts the actuating means either side ofsaid positionwhen the load conditions require the valve to be in its open or closedposition.

13. In a governing mechanism for turbines, the combination ofaregulating valve, across-head attached thereto, opening and closingmembers attached to the cross head and offset from each other', arotating actuator situ ated between said membersja speed governor thatshifts the actuator axially and causes it to engage one member' anddisengage the other to actuate the valve.

14. In a governing mechanism for turbines, the combination of aregulating valve, a member attached to the valve for opening it, asecond member attached tothc nation of a plurality of regulating valves,an opening and a closing member for each valve, a cam for-operating eachvalve through its members, a shaft upon which the cams are setprogressively so that they will engage the actuating members of thevalves successively,v and a governor for moving. the shaft and camsaxially to cause the latter to open and close the valves in succession.

16.,1In a governing mechanism for turbines, the combi nation of aplurality of regulating valves, an'opening and a closing member for eachvalve, a cam for operating each valve through its members, a shaft uponwhich the cams areset progressively so that they will engage theactuating members of the valves successively, a governor for moving theshaft and cams axially to cause the latter to open and "close the valvesin succession and a retarding means which causes the governor to movethe shaft and 17. In a governlng mechanism for'tnrbines, the combinationof a plurality of regulating valves, a constantly "moving actuator for'moving the'v'alves successively, a governor; and a retarding device forthe governor which causes it to shift the'actuatoir step-by-step, thesaid device comprising relatively movable parts, one of which yieldsafter the pressure thereon reaches a certain amount.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty first day ofOctober, 1906.

RICHARD H. RICE. Witnesses:

JOHN A. McMsN'us, Jr., HENRY O. Wnsrnnmnr.

